Portable and collapsible wardrobe



. 1,569,406 E. c. SONNTAG PORTABLE AND COLLAYSIBLE WARDROBE` Jan. 412 ,1926.

Filed May '7. .19.24

INVENTOR Patented Jan. V12,1926. y

EDWIN c. vsoNNTAGr, Yor BARTLETT, TEXAS.

PORTABLE AND COLLAPSIBLE WARDROBE.

Application filed May 7, 1924. Serial No. 711,711.

To all whom t may concern I "A Be it known that I, EDWIN C. SONNTAG, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bartlett, in the county of Villiamson and State of Texas, have invented a newfand Improved Portable and Collapsible Vlardis robe, of which the followingis a specification.

The invention relates towardrobes andY particularly r*to that type thereof 'which are designed to be portable, that they may be conveyed from place to` place for convenience, as when the owner thereof is travelling, and collapsible, Ithat they may be knocked down orv folded to present a structure that will occupy a minimum of space to thereby facilitate such conveyance.

The invention primarily has for-its object to provide a wardrobe structure which is of a pleasing appearance, economical to manufacture, which is portable, and easily collapsible to permit storing thereof in a limited space, thus making it possible for ak user thereof to carry the same collapsed, in a suitcase or trunk and quickly readj ust the same to its operating condition and mount the same upon a wall, there tov provide a housing medium for clothes in places where such convenience would ordinarily be impossible or insufficient. Y

The invention further resides in structural features providing means for supporting hat boxes and shoes, and still other means for so encasing the clothing supported thereupon as to prevent soiling thereof bv reason of the settling of dust thereupon.Y

'i `With the above and other objects in view', the invention still further-,resides inY those novel details of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, all of which will be first fully described in the following 1detailed description, then be particularly pointed out in the appended claims, and illustrated in the oflicial drawing, in which Figure l is a perspective view showing the invention suspended for use, parts being broken away for purposes of illustration.

...Figure l.J2-fis' a 2.erQssjsectiofn of-{tflie device.--r talen aciossjgn'ie ofthe-end-braeings.

front corner thereof.

Figure 4 isa detail perspective yview of the dust cover attachment. l

Figures 5 and 6 are diagrammatic end elevations of a modified form of end bracing structure, the operative andthe collapsed positions-being shown.

` l In t-he drawings, in which like numerals lof reference indicate like parts in all ofthe figures, l represents the top shelf of myv portable and collapsible wardrobe which because of its positionv will, when properly suspended froma wall orother support, provide a suitable means for ysupporting hat boxes or 'other articles of apparel. A second shelf 2 is .provided and is suitably spaced below the top shelf l by the corner posts 3 so as to provide asuitable supporting medium for shoes vor other articles the user of the device may desire to place thereupon.

The corner posts 3 are each provided with a center bore 4- and each of the shelves l and 2 are provided at their corners with apertures 5, which said bores and apertures serve to accommodate the passage of securing bolts-6 (see Figure 2 of the drawings).

The securingbolts 6 arefeach provided at one end with a threaded portion for accommodating the securing nut of the bolt connection and at their opposite ends with open eyes 7. The securing bolts 6 at the rear of the device are positioned through the apertures and bores in a manner for positioning the eyes 7- thereofI above the top shelf l, and the said eyes 7 are bent slightly rearwardly so as to position the same closely adjacent the wallwhere they may be brought into cooperative relation with nails orsupporting hooks driven into the walllfor the purpose ofproperly supporting the said device.l

-Those of the securing bolts 6 which are positioned at the two front corners of the device are so inserted through the bores and apertures as to position the eyes 7 thereof below the bottom shelf 2 and in order to p'ro` vide for the 4desired spacing of thesaid'eyes below thesaid bottom shelf,spacer fferrul'esl Sv are, mounted upenL the ,said securing bolt-s@ between the shelf and the eyes thereof ini-ai manner clearly illustrated in `li` iC.,ifuresfil-"rind 2; Mathedrawings The eyfesi thNsfSpacedTbelow the bottom shelf 2 serve to support the onsV hanger rod 9 in position for receiving a plu- 1 ality of garment hangers for supporting the garments of the user of the device thereupon. The securing nuts adapted to cooperate with the threaded ends of the securing bolts 6 to secure the rods and corner posts in rigid relation are designated 10.

Each of the corner posts 3 is provided with a slot 11 adapted to project from one end thereof down a slight distance and the said slots serve to provide sockets for the ends of the diagonal braces 12, one thereof being positioned diagonally across each end of the device between the top and bottom shelves. For this purpose, it Will be obs served that the corner posts 3 are positioned so that the slots of the rear ones thereof will be positioned adjacent the loivermost shelf and those of the front posts adjacent theupper shelf. By thus positioning the diagonal braces 11 the Weight of the garments suspended on their hangers upon the hanger rod 9 Will be distributed against the Wall thereby greatly tending to strengthen the device and lengthen the life thereof.

Rest fingers 13 are positioned one on top and at each of the front corners of the top shelf 1 in the manner for presenting the supporting` portions thereof bevond the ends of the said shelf. These rest fingers are aper tured to fit over the front securing bolts 6 so that they may be clamped to position by the securing nuts 10, as illustrated.

1 rlhe rest fingers 13 serve as supporting mediums for the side arms 14 of the curtain supporting frame The side arms 14 of the frame 15 terminate in int-urned feet 16 Which are adapted to project in under the top shelf 1 .and to engage the selected ones of the pivot forming staples 17. Four of the staples 17 are provided, tivo adjacent each end of the top shelf 1 and adapted to form pivot bearings for the said frame 15, it being` obvious that the said frame 15 will extend forwardly beyond the top shelf 1 in degree equivalent to the particular set of pivot forming staples into which the inturned feet 16 are inserted. The supporting frame 15 serves to provide a supporting medium for a suitable cover or curtain Which will depend therefrom in a manner for protecting and hiding the garments supported upon the device, as above described.

rlhe ends of each of the shelves 1 and 2 may be provided With a savv kerf 18 into which may be inserted a metal or other reinforce strip 19 such as Will eectively serve in reinforcing the ends of the said shelves and providing a much more strong and desii-able structure, it being understood the said strips are suitably apertured to permit the passing therethrough of the securing bolts From the foregoing description, it will be readily apparent that my improved portable Wardrobe is of a structure permitting the same to be readily knocked; down and packed in a suit case or trunk, so that the same may be conveyed to any desired place which the user might expect to have use for the same, due to lack of hotel convenience at that place.

This knock-down feature is made possible by the particular construction of shelves and bracing therefor and the securing means therefor. be in a knock-down condition, when desiring to mount the same upon a Wall or other support for effective use, the user will assemble the top and bottom shelves with the corner posts therebetween and insert the securing bolts 6 through the apertures of the shelves and the bores of the corner posts, properly applying the rest fingers 13 and the spacer ferrules 8 and applying the securing nuts 10 but turning the same home but a portion of the distance necessary to secure the parts to form a rigid structure. The non-rigid relation of the parts Will permit the application of the diagonal braces 12 at this juncture after which the securing nuts 10 will be screwed home to secure the parts in relation as a rigid structure. The hanger rod 9 will next be inserted to proper position through the supporting eyes 7 at the bottom of the device, and the curtain supporting frame, after the curtain has been properly mounted thereon, pivotally connected with the staples 17 and in position for extending beyond and in front of the top shelf and for being properly supported in that position by the rest fingers 13.

Obviously the disassembling of the parts will be the reverse of that above described.

When the device is to be used for a relatively long stay so that the collection of dust upon the garments supported thereon Would become a consideration, I have provided a dust cover attachment adapted to so cooperate With the parts as to prevent this objectionable feature.

The dust cover attachment includes a main body 20 of substantially the same shape as the top .surface of the top shelf 1, the said body being slightly less in Width than the said shelf and including slotivays 21 at the forward front ends thereof adapted to fit over the securing bolts 6 .so that the said body may be removably secured upon the top of the shelf 1 by being placed thereupon before the rest fingers 13 and the securing nuts 10 are positioned. The said body may be provided with an additional slot 22 at the 'central rear portion thereof which may be readily slipped over a screw eye securing means, as 1s shown. When the body is being applied the screw eye may be turned in alignment With the slotway 22 and for passage of the body thereover be turned at right angles to the Assuming the structure to said slotway tohold thef'bvack portionpf the body.. securely.- kThe rear'corners of'the'body may be cutaway-as at 23 vto avoid'the rear top corner eyes 7.

To thisA main body 20 is secured, by a hinge connection 24 which may bel of canvas or other suitable flexible material, the dust cover flap25, theflatter being of a dimension suoli as 'vvill extend over the space between the curtain` supporting frame` 15 and the adjacent shelf, thus effectively preventing the'V settling-of dust onto the gar-v ments. By reason of, constructing `the main bodyA .2O lof a Width less than the Width o1`v the shelf, the hinge 24'is thus positioned back from the` front edge of the shelf 1, so

that the said shelf edge will provide a supbetween the top and bottom shelves. rIn this' form diagonalbraces 27 are pivoted, as shown, so that they may be extended diagonally across the end to provide a means for holding the shelves to their spaced relation above the yother. In this modified structure, it is: possible to remove the diagonal brace byturning it on-itslpivot and p ermitting the links to collapse so as to bring the top and bottom shelvesy in relatively close relation one With the other, see Figure 6. When the parts 4are thus constructed, the manner of mounting the curtain supporting frame 15 is very convenient in that the same frame may be. turned backward so as to position the main front cross bar thereof vadjacent the rear edge of theshelf 1'so as tov aid in providing ak compact article when' collapsed. Y 4 Y In previous devices directed to the same purpose as mydevice is directed, objection' has been present in that the said devices Were tooheavy, cumbersome,unsightly and4 insanitary and such as could not bel readily `carried fromfyplace to place land applied to a supporting.medium Without great incon-v veniences y My invention overcomes the objection stated and provides a vportable sanitary structure providing shelves upon which shoes, hats and the usual Wearing apparel may be supported and which may be readily suspended ,fronia VWall or other supportingV lnails or hooks by si'i'nvply applying suitable sembled and supported, will suitably house thefivearing apparel of the'user vvitliout` i danger ofthe clothing accumulating dust or Ylosing shape by the hanging of the same upon sharp'hooks or nails.

It willfbe observed by reference to Figure 3 of the drawing, see dotted lines, that the rests 13 may, if desired, be extended as at 28, to provide supporting hooks for packagesr or hats. This hook feature may bey `used .in conjunction with the curtain feature or Without the same, as desired.Y

This present application isa continuation for the greater part thereof of my applicationSerial. No. 659,828 filed August 28, 1923.

From theforegoing description taken in v' connection with the accompanyingdrawing `it is thought the novel details of construe` tion, the vmanner of arrangement and the advantages of my invention Will be readily understood by those skilled in the art to Which it relates.

That I claim is:

1.In a device of the `class shelves for supporting articles of apparel, corner posts for, spacingithev shelves one above the other, securing bolts passing through the corner posts and the shelves for securing the shelves in cooperative relation While permitting `ready disassembly of the parts, the securing bolts each-being threaded at one end to receive a securing nut and having an open-eye at the'opposite end, the open eyes at the rear being disposed at the top to provide a supporting medium and those at the front being disposed at the bottom, anda garment hanger supporting rod carried by said front eyes.

2. In -a device of the class described, shelves for supporting articlesof apparel, corner posts for spacing the shelves one above the other, securing bolts passing Y through the corner posts and the shelves for securing the shelves in cooperative relation Whilepermitting ready disassembly of the parts, the securn'ig bolts each being threaded Lat one end to receive a securing nut` and havf ing an open eye at the;'oppositeend, the open eyes at the rearbeing disposed at the top kto :provide a vsupporting k medium and Y those at the front Ibeing disposed at the bottom, 'a garment hanger VVsupporting rod carried by saidnfront eyes, each said post having a. receiving socket inthe side at one end thereof, and end braces one for each end of the devices adapted to engage tlie.,post sockets to extenddiagonally acrossnthe1 said ends-and be secured to position vivithwthe described,

thesiierve's 'reif llO securing the shelves in cooperative relation while permitting ready disassembly of the parts, the securing bolts each being threaded at one end to receive a securing nut and having an open eye at the opposite end, the open eyes at the rear being disposed at the top to provide a supporting medium and those at the front being disposed at the bottom, a garment hanger supporting` rod carried by said front eyes, each shelf having reinforcing strips secured in the ends thereof through which the securing bolts are adapted to pass.

4f. In a device of the class described,- upper and lower shelves for supporting articles of apparel, corner posts for spacing the shelves one above the other, securing bolts passing through the corner posts and the shelves for securing the shelves in cooperavtive relation while permitting ready disassembly of the parts, the securing` bolts each being threaded at one end to receive a securing nut and having an open eye at the opposite end, the open eyes at the rear being disposed at the top to provide a supporting medium and those at the front being disposed at the bottom, a garment hanger supporting rod carried by said front eyes, a curtain hanging frame having a portion adapted to receive a curtain to suspend the' same therefiom over the garments supported by the device and inturned pivot lingers adapted to turn in under the edges of the upper shelf, and staples secured upwardly into the upper shelf adjacent its end edges and adapted for receiving the pivot fingers in a removable manner.

5. In a device 'of the class described, upper and lower shelves for supporting articles of apparel, end bracing for spacing the shelves one above the other, removable means for securing the shelves and bracings together in cooperative relation while permitting ready disassembly of the parts, means for supporting the device from a wall or other suitable support, means for supporting a plurality of garment hangers, a curtain hanging frame having a portion adapted to receiveva curtain to suspend the same therefrom over the garments supported b-y the device and inturned pivot fingers adapt- 1,569,406VVV a securing nut 'and-having an open `eye -at the opposite end, the open eyesv at the rear being disposed at the top :to provide a supporting medium and those at the front being disposed at the bottom, a garment hanger supportingrod carried by said front eyes,

each of said postsV having a: receiving socketK in the sidev at oneend thereof, end braces one for each'end ofthe device adapted to engage the post sockets to extend 'diagonally across the said ends and be secured to position with the said posts, a curtain hanging frame having a portion adapted to receive" a curtain to suspend the saine therefrom over the garments supported by the device and inturned pivot fingers, and staple bearings for receiving the pivot fingers in a removable manner.

7. In a device of the class described, upper and lower shelves for supporting articles of apparel, corner' posts for spacing the'shelvesv one above the other, securing-bolts passing through the cornerposts and the shelvesv for securing'the shelves 'and'bracings in cooperative relation 'whilev permitting Y ready disassembly of the parts, the securing bolts being each threaded at one end" to receive a securing nut and having an open eye at the:` opposite end, the open eyes at therear being disposed at the top to provide a supporting medium and' those lat the front being disposed at the bottom, a garment hanger supporting rod carried by said' front eyes, each.

said post having a receiving socket in they side thereof,- and end braces one for each end of the device adapted to engageV the post sockets to extend diagonally across the said ends and be securedv to position with'the said posts.`

8. In a device of the class described, upper and lowershelves for supporting articles `of apparel, end bracings for spacing the shelves one above'ther other, removable means for securing the shelves and bracings together in cooperative relation while permitting ready disassembly of the parts, means for supporting the device from a wall or other suitable support, means for supporting a plurality of garment hangers, a curtain hanging frame having a portion adapted to receive a curtain to suspend the -saine therefrom over the garments supported by the device and inturned pivot fingers adapted to turn in under the end Iedges of the upper shelf, vand staples secured upwardly into the upper shelf adjacent its end edges and adapted for receiving the pivot fingers adapted-to turn in under the end edges of the upper shelf in a removable manner, and rests for the curtain frame spaced outward from the pivot fingerpositions and secured to position bythe front securing nuts which secure tlierfron't securing bolts.' e

9. In a device of the class described, upper and lower shelves for supporting articles'of apparel, corner posts for spacing the shelves one above the other, securing bolts passing through. the corner posts and the shelves for.v securing the shelves in cooperative relation while permitting ready disassembly of the parts, the securing bolts each .being threaded at one end to receive a securing nut and having an open eye at the opposite end, the open eyes at the rear being disposed at the top to provide a supporting medium and those at the front being disposed at the bottom, a garment hanger` supporting` rod carried by said front eyes, spacer ferrules on the front securing bolts adapted to space the supporting rod away from and below the lowermost shelf, each shelf having reinforcing strips secured in the end thereof through which the securing bolts are adapted to pass, a curtain hanging frame having a portion adapted to receive a curtain to suspend the same therefrom over the garment supported by the device and inturned pivot lingers adapted to turn in under the end edges of the upper shelf, staples secured upwardly into the upper shelf adjacent its end edges and adapted for receiving the pivot fingers in a removable manner, and rests for the curtain frame spaced outward from the pivot finger positions and secured to position by the front securing nuts which secure the front securing bolts.

10. In a device of the class described, upper and lower shelves for supporting articles of lappareh end bracings for spacing the shelves one above the other, removable means for securing the shelves and bracings together in cooperative relation while permitting ready disassembly of the parts, means for supporting a device from a wall or other suitable support, means for supporting a plurality of garment hangers,

a curtain hanging frame having a portion adapted to receive a curtain to suspend the same therefrom over the garments supported by the device and inturned pivot lingers adapted to turn in under the end edges of the upper shelf, staples secured upwardly into the upper shelf adjacent its end edges and adapted for receiving the pivot fingers in fr removable manner, and a dust cover member removably mounted on one of the.

shelves and having a portion adapted to eX- tend beyond the said shelf out over the said curtain hanging frame.

1l. In a device of the class described, upper and lower shelves for supporting articles of apparel, corner posts for spacing the shelves one above the other, securing bolts passing through the corner posts and the shelves for securing the shelves and bracings in cooperative relation while permitting ready disassembly of the parts, the securing bolts being threaded at one end to receive a securing nut and having an open eye -at the opposite end, Ythe open eyes at the supporting medium and lthose at'the front being disposed at the bottom, a. garment hanger supporting rod carriedby said front eyes,- a-:eurtain' hanging kframe having a portion adapted to receive a curtain to suspend the same; therefrom over thevgarmen'ts supported by the device and inturned pivot fingers adapted to turn in under the end edges of the upper shelf, staples secured upwardly into the upper shelf adjacent its end edges and adapted for receiving the pivot fingers in a removable manner, and a dust cover member removably mounted on the top shelf and having a hinge connected portion adapted to extend beyond the said shelf out over the said hangingframe.

l2. In a device ofthe class described, upper and lower shelves for supporting articles of apparel, end bracings for spacing the shelves one above the other, removable means for securing the shelves and bracings together in cooperative relation'while permitting ready disassembly of "the parts, means for supporting the device from a wall or other suitable support, means for supporting a plurality of garment hangers, a curtain hanging frame having a portion adapted to receive a curtain to suspend the saine therefrom over the garments supported by the device and inturned pivot fingers adapted to turn in under the edges of the upper shelf, and staples secured upwardly into the upper shelf adjacent its end edges and adapted for receiving the pivot fingers in a removable manner, and rests for the curtain frame secured to position by the front securing nuts which secure the front securing bolts, the said rests having laterally eX- tended portions for forming supporting hooks.

13. In a device of the class described, upper and lower shelves for supporting articles of apparel, corner posts for spacing the shelves one above the other, securing bolts passing through the corner posts and the shelves for securing the shelves in cooperative relation while permitting ready disassembly of the parts, the securing bolts each being threaded at one end to receive a securing nut and having an open eye at the opposite end, the open eyes at the rear being disposed at the top to provide a supporting medium and those at the front being disposed at the bottom, a garment hanger supporting rod` carried by said front eyes, spacer ferrules on the front securing bolts adapted to space the supporting rod away froin andv below the lowermost shelf, each shelfV having reinforcing strips secured in 1 the end thereof through which the securing bolts are adapted to pass, a curtain hanging frame having .a portion adapted to receive a curtain to suspend the same therefrom over the garment supported by the device and intznnedj pivot fingers adapted t0 turn in under the end edges of the upper shelf, staples secured upwardly into the upper shelf adjacent its end edges and adapted for receiving the pivot fingers in a removable manner, and rests for the curtain frame spaced outward from the pivot linger positended portions for forming snpportingjf4 hooks.

EDWIN C. SONNTAG. 

